All the artificial intelligence hype is catching up on other apps as it grows. Following Bing's integration with ChatGPT and Google's Bard, Spotify is also taking a shot at the AI business with its new AI "DJ" which will explain the app's recommendations.
Spotify's AI 'DJ'
The music streaming app is putting out a new feature called "DJ," which is a personalized AI guide that will base its service on your music taste when choosing recommendations. Spotify has already launched the beta version in countries like the US and Canada.
Along with a curated set of songs for you, it will also deliver a commentary as to why these tracks and artists are suggested to you in a "stunningly realistic voice." It will base its recommendations of the latest songs on your previous listening experience.
According to Spotify, it will even throw a few of your old favorites into the mix. Upon providing a fresh batch of suggestions, it will review what you enjoy listening to even further, and suggest more songs based on its latest findings.
If the feature's recommendations don't hit the spot, you can just tap on the DJ button and it will create a new lineup for you. The more you use the feature, the more it will understand what kind of music you like or don't like, providing you with better recommendations.
How It Works
Spotify is using OpenAI technology for its generative AI, as well as the company's editors to provide facts about the music, artists, and genres you are listening to. The DJ will speak to you in an AI-generated voice brought by Sonatic, which is a startup Spotify acquired.
The voice you will be hearing in the app's DJ is trained from a real human voice, which is of Spotify's Head of Cultural Partnerships Xavier "X" Jernigan. Jernigan was also the host of the app's morning show "The Get Up."
The DJ will show you an overview of what you should expect. For instance, it will dictate which artists you like and play one of their songs, along with others with the same genre or vibe. You will also see at the top part of the screen why the song was played for you.
When you tap on the DJ button to change its recommendations, it will display another set of songs as well as new information about the fresh batch of music suggestions. The dialogue you will be hearing is generated by OpenAI on the spot.
As mentioned in Engadget, Spotify's VP of Personalization Ziad Sultan mentioned that the company's scriptwriters, music editors, data curators, and engineers came together to ensure that the information provided by the app's DJ is useful, accurate, and relevant.
How to Use Spotify's 'DJ'
Once the feature launches in your area, you can start trying the feature out by heading to your Music Feed on Spotify's Home. Look for the DJ card and tap on it. Once you do, Spotify's DJ will start doing its thing.
As explained before, it will recommend a lineup of music for you, as well as an explanation of why the AI suggested them in the first place in the form of a commentary. All you have to do is tap the DJ button at the bottom-right of the screen for a new lineup.
